sunburn

1 of 2

verb

sun·​burn ˈsən-ˌbərn 

sunburned ˈsən-ˌbərnd  or sunburnt ˈsən-ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

transitive verb

: to burn or discolor by the sun

intransitive verb

: to become sunburned

sunburn

2 of 2

noun

: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight

Examples of sunburn in a Sentence

Noun

He has a bad sunburn.

Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The truth is, even the best of us miss a spot or forget to reapply our sunscreen and end up sunburned. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 12 July 2024

Skiers and mountain climbers can get sunburned quickly without proper skin protection. —Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024

Noun

Aloe vera cannot protect against a sunburn, said Shari Lipner, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. —Karla Marie Sanford, Washington Post, 3 July 2024

While sunscreens can help shield and block ultraviolet radiation, preventing sunburn and skin cancer, after-sun lotions comfort the skin by replenishing with moisture. —Essence, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from sunburned, from sun + burned

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1584, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sunburn

1 of 2 verb

sun·​burn -ˌbərn 

sunburned -ˌbərnd  or sunburnt -ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

1

: to burn or discolor by the sun

2

: to become sunburned

sunburn

2 of 2 noun

: a sore red state of the skin caused by too much sunlight

Medical Definition

sunburn

1 of 2 transitive verb

sun·​burn -ˌbərn 

sunburned -ˌbərnd  or sunburnt -ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

: to affect with sunburn

sunburned skin

sunburn

2 of 2 noun

: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight

called also erythema solare